LAS VEGAS -- As the 49ers were going on their Colin Kaepernick-led run to the Super Bowl last year, Cody Fajardo was enjoying every bit of it.

"It put a spotlight on us," said Fajardo, the Nevada quarterback who succeeded Kaepernick. "It put Nevada more on the map. People recognized our school and our program. By him playing well, it's only benefiting me personally and the University of Nevada."

Fajardo passed for 2,786 yards and 20 touchdowns and rushed for 1,121 yards and 12 scores while executing the Pistol offense created by former coach Chris Ault. When Kaepernick took over as the 49ers starter for Alex Smith, the new direction of the eventual NFC champions' offense was exciting for Fajardo.

"Just watching the Niners run the Pistol, you kind of get the chills thinking, "Look, I can do the same thing," which feels great as a player," Fajardo said. "Hopefully it opened up some eyes to some NFL guys that this is where the NFL is going in the next couple of years, so lets focus our attention on more guys who are dual threats."

San Jose State travels to face Nevada on Nov. 16. The Spartans have lost four in a row to the Wolf Pack and nine of their past 10.